Camping Season Begins on the Santa Fe National Forest

The smell of dinner cooking over a campfire, roasting marshmallows at night, family arguments as you try to pitch a tent, these experiences capture the joys and challenges of summer camping. The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) offers a variety of camping experiences for the first time camper to the more seasoned recreationist. 

This camping guide covers everything you need to know to plan your next camping trip including what sites are closed, fees, and safety. 

What sites are closed for the summer 2025 season?

Most developed campgrounds within the SFNF opened on Friday, May 9, 2025. However, due to ongoing construction projects and essential public access improvements, some sites will remain closed for the summer season. 

Pecos/Las Vegas

• CLOSED – Holy Ghost Group Site, Jack’s Creek Group Site, Cowles Pond Fishing Site, and Field Tract Campground
• No water provided at all district campgrounds. 

Coyote/Española

• CLOSED – Headquarters Well, which is a day use trailhead and not a campground, in the Caja del Rio. A camping closure is in effect until December 31, 2025. Learn more. 

Jemez/Cuba

• Due to pavement preservation projects the following campgrounds will be CLOSED.
  • Jemez Falls Campground: Currently CLOSED and should reopen July 30, 2025.
  • Redondo Campground: Currently OPEN and will close following completion of the pavement preservation project at Jemez Falls Campground.
  • Vista Linda Campground: Currently OPEN but may close later in the summer. 

Recreation Fees

The SFNF is going cashless! Before visiting the forest, download the recreation.gov app on your phone (Wi-fi or cell service is required), set up an account and sign in. When you arrive at a participating campground open the recreation.gov app and scan the QR code located on the campground kiosk. Even in remote areas with no cell service, Scan & Pay allows you to pay when you’re offline and then processes your transaction once you’re back online. 

The following recreation sites are available for Scan and Pay:

Safety

The Forest Service continues to invest in initiatives that make the nation’s outdoors accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all Americans. Learn more about camping safety. 

The SFNF is currently in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The purpose of this order is to provide for the public's health and safety and to protect National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities during the current period of high fire danger. To read the full order visit the SFNF website. 

For a detailed list of all campgrounds and amenities on the Santa Fe National Forest visit our website. For updated news visit our social media, Facebook and X. 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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